Health Fact Sheets

Fruit and vegetable consumption, 2013

Fruit and vegetables are an important source of vitamins, minerals and fibre. A diet rich in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer.Note 1

Fruit and vegetable consumption data are based on a survey question that measures the number of times respondents reported that they consumed fruit and vegetables, rather than the actual quantity consumed.

In 2013, 40.8% of Canadians aged 12 and older, roughly 11.5 million people, reported that they consumed fruit and vegetables five or more times per day. This rate has remained unchanged since 2011. Reported fruit and vegetable consumption had increased to 45.6% in 2009, and then decreased two years in a row in 2010 and again in 2011, marking the first decline in the rate since 2001.

From 2001 to 2013, females were more likely than males to consume fruit and vegetables five or more times daily. In 2013, 47.4% (6.8 million) of females consumed fruit and vegetables five or more times daily, compared to 34.0% (4.7 million) of males (Chart 1).

In 2013, more than 44% of females in each age group reported that they ate fruit and vegetables five or more times daily. The rate was higher for females than for males in all age groups. Young males aged 12 to 19 (41.0%) were more likely to consume fruit and vegetables five or more times a day compared to males in all other age groups (Chart 2).